Editorial: Lights, Camera, Action!
Dear Readers,
Since its creation, the European Physical Society [EPS] and its members have been at the forefront of physics research and international collaboration. Our reputation is built, first and foremost, on our credibility as physicists. While many EPS initiatives have spurred European, and international, activities and policy initiatives (such as WYP2005, EPL and EMSPS, to cite some examples) the EPS has remained an actor behind the scenes.
In 2010, the EPS undertook an arduous strategic review, leading to the adoption by Council of the ‘EPS Strategy Plan 2010+’ the following year. The EPS’s different roles were clearly defined: as a federation of national physical societies, as a European learned society and as a publisher. The expectation is that the EPS will represent its Member Societies at the European level, will strengthen the European physics community, and will provide a forum for learned society publishers to discuss and develop their activities.
What progress can we report at the beginning of 2012?
Under the dynamic and inspired leadership of Luisa Cifarelli, with the support of the Executive Committee and the EPS Secretariat, we would like to highlight some of our achievements.
Our visibility has been increased, notably through the publication of e-EPS, our new electronic bulletin; sent to over 40,000 scientists around the world, it reports the activities of the EPS and provides information of relevance to the physics community.
Measures have been taken to increase the EPS’s influence in, and impact on, European and international science policy. The ASEPS2 meeting, in Poland, brought together physicists and policy makers from Europe and Asia to discuss enhanced collaboration. The International Year of Light initiative is also gathering broad European and international support.
The EPS has also coordinated input from its members, to the European Commission, on the Common Strategic Framework, Horizon 2020, the next European Union Framework programme, and on access to and preservation of digital information.
This month sees the launching of the new EPS website; in addition to improved navigation and more information on the EPS and its activities, the redesign will also provide tools and services to Individual Members, divisions and groups, allowing them to collaborate more effectively. Many other initiatives are already being planned for 2012…
We may not get an Oscar, but the EPS continues to make significant steps as a leading player in European science policy, and as the premier community of physicists in Europe.
Happy New Year,
David Lee
EPS Secretary General
